MSCIS Research Studies

Our team conducts a number of studies on important topics related to SCI. Here is a summary of our current studies.

The Effects of Gentamicin Intravesical Installations on Decreasing Urinary Infections in Patients with Neurogenic Bladder after SCI: A Clinical Trial

This clinical trial, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), evaluates whether using Gentamicin Instillations can reduce the frequency of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among adults with SCI, thereby also improving their quality of life and community participation. The investigators are from both the Department of Physical Medicine (Tate, Rodriguez and Forchheimer) and the Division of Urology (Cameron) at Michigan Medicine. This trial is monitored by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Currently several participants are enrolled in this study. 

If you are interested in being part of this study in the future and have had a minimum of 2 UTIs in the last 6 months, please contact Adrienne by emailing adbpo@med.umich.edu or calling (734) 936-9474.

Developing a Patient- Centered Measure of Caregiver Relationship

The University of Michigan is conducting a study called Developing a Patient-Centered Measure of Caregiver Relationships and is now conducting interviews with adults with SCI to learn about their experiences with caregivers. Participating takes around one hour. Those who complete the interview will be compensated $35. For more information, call: (734) 936-1977 or send an email to: MF-Neilsen@umich.edu

Flyer for the SCI Caregiver relationship measure study. Full details are below.

Study Flyer Accessible Text

General Information

The Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine is conducting a study to develop a new measure of the relationships that people with SCI have with their caregivers. Participating will involve completing an interview that will take about one hour.

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation is dedicated to research and programs to improve the quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury.

  • Study ID: HUM000125787
  • IRBMED Date Approved: 7/14/2020

In order to participate you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have had a SCI which resulted in disability at least 6 months ago
  • Receive caregiving services for at least 16 hours per week
  • Be willing to participate in an interview that will take approximately 1 hour
  • Be able to speak and understand English

If you are eligible and participate, you will be compensated with $35 for completing the interview.

For more information

Call our research office at (734) 936-1977 or send an email to mf-neilsen@umich.edu

Tom Hoatlin (left) and Sunny Roller (right) lead this study's 6-week in-person intervention.

Reinventing Yourself After SCI

This is a collaborative study, being conducted by Craig Hospital in Colorado, Kessler Rehabilitation in New Jersey and the University of Michigan to examine the effects of an intervention designed to increase SCI specific and general self-efficacy beliefs, enhance emotional wellbeing, increase resilience and improve participation in society for people with SCI. Participants are randomized into one of three groups: 1) a group that participates in six virtual training sessions (using Zoom for Health) and will also receive written and on-line resources; 2) a group that receives the written and on-line resources; and 3) a group that only conducts the study’s assessments. Including follow-up assessments, participation in the study takes about one year.  Nearly 190 people with SCI have already participated in this program across the three sites. At Michigan, these interventions have been conducted three times and the study is preparing to conduct it for a fourth time, hopefully in early spring of 2021. Our study coordinator is Adrienne Roth and she is currently recruiting.  If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact Adrienne at reinventing.yourself@umich.edu or (734) 936-9474.